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ILLUSTRATED 

CATALOGUE and PRICE-LIST 



OF 



GRAFTED, BUDDED AND SEEDLING 
PAPER-SHELL PECANS 

AND 

OTHER NUT-BEARING TREES 

WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED A TREATISE ON 

PECAN CULTURE 
No. II. 



OFFICERS 

G. M. BACON, President. DE WITT C. BACON, First Vice-President. 

HERBERT C^WHITE, Second Vice-President and Horticulturist. 
J. P. GILL, Third Vice-President. MILTON BACON, Secretary and Treasurer. 



THE G. M. BACON PECAN COMPANY 

DE WITT, MITCHELL COUNTY, GEORGIA 

COPYRIGHT 1904, BY THE G. M. BACON PECAN CO., INCORPORATED. 



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.-.f Q0N6SE3S 



two ooetes Received 

OCT 14 1904 

CooyrlgM EiWy 

'CLASSY XXo.No. 



£$>VS\ 



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The parent "Georgia Giant' tree at DeWitt, Georgia. Planted in 1886. Began 

bearing when five years old and has produced heavy annual crops every 

year since. Top of tree has been severely cut back to 

obtain budding and grafting: wood. 



9 


THE PECAN. 


1 



(Hicoria Pecan, (Marsh), Britton; Carya olivaeformis, Nuttall). 



Introductory. — The inauguration of any great, permanent and far-reaching 
industry, (like the Pecan) has always been attended with much patient pioneering 
and experimental work, with the concomitant losses and disappointments incident, 
and prior to, its establishment upon a safe and profitable basis. This is the history 
of all the great commercial (including agricultural and horticultural) successes of 
to-day, and it is only as a result of the faithful, intelligent and well-directed efforts 
of a comparatively few investigators that experimental stages with the Pecan have 
been passed and that it is to-day a full-fledged industry, established upon a firm, 
sure and safe basis. 

Descriptive. — The Pecan is one of, and by far the most valuable and impor- 
tant species of the -genus Hicoria, the shagbark (H. Ovata), the shellbark (H. 
Laciniosa), and one or two sweet-meated and thin-shelled (very rare) varieties 
of the pig nut (H. Glabra) following in pomological importance. There are, 
however, two or three most promising large thin-shelled hybrids, (supposedly 
cross-species of the Pecan and shagbark), now being tested by us, which will 
probably be of great utility and value for planting in the extreme North, Northwest 
and East, where, although the Pecan will grow, it does not usually produce the 
extremely large and thin-shelled nuts as in the middle and lower South. The 
Pecan grows to be one of the largest and most majestic of trees. The Pecan lives 
to an indefinite age, trees having been cut down in Texas plainly indicating a 
500-year growth. 

Range of Culture. — The Twelfth Census reported bearing Pecan trees in 
twenty-two States as follows: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, 
Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, 
Missouri, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, 
Texas, Virginia, Washington, also in Indian Territory. The next census will 
doubtless report bearing Pecans in many more States. The Pecan is the only nut 
capable of successful culture over such a vast area of country and it is for this 
reason that in a Bulletin published by the Government in 1896, it is said "the 



Pecan is probably destined to become the leading nut of the American market" 
and that "If its culture is pushed with the usual skill and energy of American 
enterprise, there is every reason to believe that it will not be many years before 
the Pecan will become not only an abundant nut in our markets, but also an im- 
portant article of export." Reference was, of course, made to the large thin- 
shelled nut. In the season of 1903-04 we shipped Pecan trees to twenty States, 
including Indian Territory. 

Jin Important Industry. — Increasing and more intelligent attention is 
being given each year to the planting and cultivation of the Pecan. The perma- 
nent and increasing annual value of the tree is realized. Experimental stages 




FOUR-YEAR-OLD "GEORGIA GIANT" GRAFTED TREE. HEIGHT OF TREE, 11 FEET. 
SPREAD OF BRANCHES, 9 */£ FEET. TREE IN BEARING. DEWITT, GA. 



have been passed and the outlook for the industry is brighter than ever. The de- 
mand for fine nuts for table and confectionery purposes is constant, and the sup- 
ply of fine nuts is entirely inadequate. 

Easy to Market. — There is an annually increasing demand for Pecan nuts, 
none that we know of being produced on the eastern hemisphere. Pecan nuts 
do not have to be forced on the markets. They can be held for a considerable length 
of time, the market watched, and the nuts placed on sale when the best price can 
be commanded. Thev may be kept in perfect condition, in cold storage, from one 
season to another. 

Soils. — We have Pecan trees planted on rich river bottoms, on stiff red clay, 
on deep sand hills, on pebbly soil, on sandy loam underlaid with clay, as well as 
on stiff hard soil, largely fire and pipe clay (which cracks and bakes in dry 
weather), but we find the Pecan thrives on all. Soils continuously boggy or 
springy should be avoided, unless capable of surface drainage. Occasional over- 
flows do not hurt the Pecan. Some of our best trees are subject to the overflow 
of the Flint River, and although they have stood several feet in the water for 
fifteen days at a time they are as vigorous and as heavy annual bearers as others. 
The wild Pecan trees of Texas are also found along rivers subject to overflow, 
the nuts no doubt being carried by freshets and deposited on overflowed land. 
For this reason the fact that wild Pecans are only found on river bottoms gives 
rise for the wrong impression that they will only succeed on bottom lands, for they 
will thrive in practically all soils. 

The Pecan adapts Itself to Many 
Conditions — The Pecan is an ex- 
tremely hardy tree, is easily transplanted 
and adapts itself to very variable soil and 
climatic conditions. Where trees are 
planted on land with a very wet subsoil, 
the tap-root ceases to grow after reaching 
a stratum where there is a sufficient sup- 
ply of water ; on the other hand, new 
tap-roots quickly grow where more 
moisture is temporarily needed. Many 
Pecan trees, with good lateral root sys- 
tems, even in dry soils, have very little 
tap-root. We have dug up and success- 
fully transplanted several eighteen-year- 
old Pecan trees, and have found the tap- 
root of eighteen-year-old pecan tree, roots not over four feet long. ( See illus- 

SHOWING ENTIRE TAP-ROOT, SUCCESS- firing 

FULLY TRANSPLANTED IN 1904. tratlOn ) . 




Quality of Nuts.—Theve is a great difference in the quality and market 
value of Pecan nuts. Some are small, thick-shelled and of poor quality. The 

best nuts are of medium 
to large size, with thin 
shells, well filled, of good 
keeping qualities, and de- 
licious flavor. Only 
varieties combining these 
qualities are being propa- 
gated by this Company. 
Pro/its. — The profits 
in Pecan growing, like 
those in stock raising, 
fruit growing and other 
analogous industries, de- 
pend almost entirely 
upon the kind of Pecan 
trees planted, the quality 
of stock raised, the varie- 
ties of fruit trees planted 
and the care taken of 
them. The Pecan is a 
tree which responds 
readily to cultivation, 
(including fertilization), 
and to get the best re- 
sults it should be treated 
as a fruit tree from 
"seed to harvest." We 
have found that the 
parental characteristics 
of early, annual and 
heavy bearing are faith- 
fully transmitted by 
budding and grafting. 
We have three-year-old budded and grafted trees with every terminal twig carry- 
ing from two to eight nuts, (in other words, bearing to their utmost capacity, 
for a Pecan does not bear nuts other than on its terminal growth), which a number 
of our valued customers have visited us to see. We have also two-year-old buds 
and grafts on just five-year-old seedling stocks, carrying as high as ten pounds of 




HEAVY BLOOMING OF FOUR-YEAR-OLD BUDDED PECAN TREE, AT 

DEWITT, GEORGIA. THE PENDULOUS TASSELS ALONG THE 

TWIGS AND BRANCHES ARE THE MALE 

(STAMINATE) BLOOMS. 



nuts, (the seedlings being budded and grafted when three years old and being' 
once moved and transplanted from nursery when one year old). By budding and 
grafting all our nursery stock on three-year seedling stocks and roots, as we are 

now doing (contrary to the usual prac- 
tice among growers), it will be observed 
that such trees will be eight years old the 
fifth year from transplantation. At 
eight years of age our parent Georgia 
Giant tree (a rare seedling) bore fifteen 
potinds of nuts. Assuming, therefore, 
^g that prolific and early bearing varieties 

^TW^'"^ I:m ' 1 there are a num ber), with three- 

year roots to commence with, be planted 
and properly cared for (a comparatively 
simple and inexpensive matter), the 
average yield per tree the fifth year from 
transplantation may run as high as ten 
pounds, the sixth year to fifteen pounds, 
the seventh year to twenty-five pounds 
and over, and so on until the tenth vear 
from setting out, when a yield of from 
fifty to one hundred and fifty pounds may 
reasonably be assumed. Small mixed 
nuts will net the grower from 5 to> 12 1-2 
cents per pound, increasing in value ac- 
cording to size and quality to 40 cents 
per pound and upwards. Selected speci- 
mens are sold for planting at prices rang- 
ing from 50 cents to $3.00 per pound. 
It must always be remembered that it is 
budded tree showing union of bud with as eas y to raise tne nne varieties as the 
seedling stock. common nuts. 

The bearing of seedling trees is so variable that the yields of seedling groves 
of to-dav are absolutely no criterion to go by, but when uniform groves of defi- 
nite, early, annual and heavy-bearing varieties can now be planted, it will quickly 
be seen that the yields of the future must be enormously greater. Abundant proof 
of this exists wherever tried. 

Importation of Wuts. — In Report No. 15 of the U. S. Bureau of Statistics, 
being a compilation of the quantities and values of imported merchandise entered 
for consumption in the United States during the years 1901 and 1902, it will b* 




found that in 1901, nuts to the value of $3,756,137.04 were imported, and that for 
the year ending the 30th of June, 1902, the stupendous sum of $4,214,676.17 was 
sent out of this country for nuts. By the time freight, insurance, duties and 
the profits of wholesalers and retailers are added, it will be seen that the nut eating 
public of the United States are spending annually fully $10,000,000.00 for nuts 
raised in foreign countries alone. The value of imported nuts in 1895 was 
$2,012,844 (U. S. Year Book, 1898), increasing to $4,214,676.17 in 1902. In 1901 
the duties alone on imported nuts were $922,916.11, and in 1902 $1,280,615.72. 
Such figures must convince the most skeptical of the opportunities in planting 
Pecans. The tariff on nuts ranges from half a cent per pound on unsh.elled pea- 
nuts to six cents a pound on clear shelled almonds. The only nuts on' the "free 
list" are cocoanuts, cream and Brazil, olive nuts ground, and palm and palm nut 
kernels. 

Nut Oil. — Vast possibilities also lie with Pecan nuts in this respect. The 
U. S. Bureau of Statistics furnishes the information that in 1901, 365,747 gallons 
of Nut Oil were imported, valued at ports of entry in the sum of $169,892. In 
1902 the demand had increased to such an extent that 405,021 gallons were im- 
ported, valued at $177,145. In the face of these government figures on importa- 
tions, both as to Nuts and Nut Oil, it is idle to say that there is not a field of the 
greatest possibilities in Nut Culture, and particularly with the Pecan. , 

Exportations. — In 1902, nuts to the value of only $304,241.00 were ex- 
ported, $75,251.00 going into the Dominion of Canada (Nova Scotia, New Bruns- 
wick, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, etc.), where the Pecan can not be profitably 
grown. The remainder in minor quantities going to European, North American, 
South American, Asian, Oceanian and African countries. 

Ornamental as Well as Valuable. —We can not too earnestly recom- 
mend the planting of the Pecan for shade and ornamental purposes instead of 
(from a food-producing point of view) valueless oaks, poplars, sycamores, elms, 
maples, etc. The Pecan will outlive all these, and make a far handsomer tree. 
Two or three Pecan trees, even one tree, will in a few years yield revenue enough 
to pay taxes on a very valuable city lot. For this purpose we always keep several 
thousand extra large three and four-year-old trees, running from six to eight feel 
high, on hand, and are prepared to quote prices on these extra large trees. The\ 
are ideal for planting on lots, streets and around residences, where both quick 
shade and early bearing are desired. 

Marketing. — There are many thousands of people in the South and all over 
the country who have never even seen any of the choice nuts now being grown, let 
alone eaten any, for they are rarely sold at a price at which the ordinary person can 
afford to eat them. These fine nuts are as easily grown as the small ones. Persons 
starting into Pecan culture now can do so with a certainty of success if they will 



buy good trees. When 
we started planting 
Pecan trees we bought 
anything we could get 
(as many are doing 
now), and we have in 
our /Needling groves 
trees producing nuts 
of all shapes and 
sizes ; but we have 
trees, heavy annual 
bearers, producing 
nuts unexcelled in all 
good qualities, and it 
is only from these 
trees that we are prop- 
agating. The expe- 
rience we now have 
would have been of 
inestimable worth to 
us twenty years ago, 
but the planter of to- 
day need not take any 
chances, if he will 
plant good trees and 
take care of them. 

Jfge of Bearing 
— We have a few 
seedling trees which 
bore nuts at five years 
(notably the Georgia 
Giant). This with seedlings is exceptional and can not be relied upon. A larger 
number of seedling trees, however, came into bearing at six years, and many at 
seven. We have no seedling trees that have not borne in nine years, many bear- 
ing profitable crops from six years upwards. The subject of age of bearing is 
more fully discussed under budding and grafting. The most impossible stories 
are told by irresponsible and dishonest dealers upon this subject, many seedling 
trees having been guaranteed to bear in two years and to come true to seed. 
It is an ordinary occurrence for budded and grafted trees to begin to bear at two 
years and we have many which have borne fair crops of nuts at three years. 




THE PARENT SENATOR TREE. SIXTEEN YEARS OLD. RAISED IN 
NURSERY AND SET OUT WHEN ONE YEAR OF AGE. SPREAD 
OF LIMBS, 45 FEET. HEIGHT, 65 FEET. 
DEWITT, GEORGIA. 




PROFUSE BLOOMING OF FOUR-YEAR-OLD GRAFTED PECAN TREE AT 

DEWITT, GEORGIA. THE DROOPING TASSELS ON THE LIMBS 

ARE THE CATKINS WHICH FURNISH THE POLLEN. 



Few Enemies. 

— Persons who say 
that the Pecan is 
entirely free from 
insect enemies are in 
error — sometimes in- 
tentionally, s o m e- 
times from inexperi- 
ence or ignorance. 
However, the Pecan 
tree, of all valuable 
food-producing trees, 
is attacked by fewer 
insects or fungous 
diseases than almost 
any other. Owing to 
its nature and strong 
vitality, injuries made 
by insects seldom ef- 
fect a permanent dis- 
ablement, for the only 
way to destroy a Pe- 
can is to grub it up, 
•even to its uttermost 
roots. In the case of 
the Pecan, profitable 
crops of fruit can be 
made with more cer- 
tainty, with less ex- 
pense, with less trou- 
ble from insects, and 



with less worry than any other known valuable food-producing tree. 

AS TO PLANTING AND CULTIVATION. 

Inquiries. — We receive a great many inquiries regarding the setting out, 
care and cultivation of Pecan groves. As we give our personal attention to all 
the details of selection, propagation, packing, shipping, etc., we find it impossible 
to always answer such inquiries by letter as fully as we would like and we have, 
therefore, embraced herein practically all the main and material points, including 
the selection of trees, their planting, fertilization and subsequent cultivation. If 



however, there is anything- you wish to know not contained herein, kindly write us 

about it and we will take pleasure in advising you. 

Plant J\{uts or Trees ?~~We have planted nuts where we wanted trees 

to grow, but have en- 
tirely abandoned that 
method, as we have 
found that transplant- 
ing from a nursery is 
far preferable. When 
others have contended 
with the same diffi- 
culties we have, in the 
shape of field mice, 
squirrels, moles, sala- 
manders, pigs, wood- 
lice, ants, etc., and 
find themselves (after 
yearly replanting for 
five or six years) with 
a grove (?) of trees 
running from ten 
inches to twenty feet 
high, they will come 
to the same conclu- 
sion. It will pay to 
buy the young trees 
from a reliable grower 
rather than to try, 
without any experi- 
ence, to raise your 
own trees. By the 

THE BACON'S CHOICE (SYN. "BACON") PARENT TREE. BORE 265 ,. r '■ 

POUNDS OF NUTS IN 1903. EIGHTEEN YEARS OLD. ' ^° U h & Ure U1 tlle 

TRANSPLANTED FROM NURSERY WHEN YOUNG. time Spent 111 getting 

dewitt, Georgia. a grove started, the 

cost of the seed, fertilizer, cultivation and percentage of losses in non-germination, 
it would have been better to have bought two, three or four-year-old trees all 
trimmed and ready for planting, gaining much time and have a grove of trees 
uniform in size and age. 











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When to Plant. — In the Southern States, Pecan trees may be set out any 

time after the leaves 
drop in the fall (vary- 
ing largely with the 
season, but nearly al- 
ways by the first week 
in December), until 
generally the end of 
March. It is essen- 
tial, however, that 
trees be dormant. 

In the North. 
Northwest, Eastern 
and Middle States, 
above approximately 
the forty-first degree 
of latitude, north, thf 
ground will frequent- 
ly be frozen or snow- 
bound by the time 
Southern-grown trees 
are perfectly dormant. 
Under these circum- 
stances spring plant- 
ing should be resorted 
to. Orders for trees 
where these condi- 
tions prevail should 
be made during the 
winter, and if shipped 
at time of order, they 
can be placed in cool 
storage until spring- 
time, when ground is in a suitable condition for planting. Dormant trees may 
easily be kept many months in a cool cellar, with roots moistened occasionally and 
kept from exposure to frost, light or air. 

"Some say to plant trees in the spring, 

And some say in the fall ; 
But the worst are those who compromise, 
And plant no trees at all." 




THE PARENT MAMMOTH (RENAMED "MONARCH") TREE. APRIL, 

1904. TREE BLOOMING HEAVILY BUT FOLIAGE NOT FULLY 

DEVELOPED WHEN PHOTOGRAPHED. 

DEWITT, GEORGIA. 



Distance Jipa,t. — Our plan was to plant 30x30 feet apart, or 48 trees to 
the acre. While this eventually becomes too close the trees will produce satis- 
factory and profitable crops of nuts for many years before it may become 
necessary to thin them out. Some even advocate planting 20x20 feet, which 
gives one hundred and eight trees to the acre, and obtaining nuts from all for 
several years, when alternate rows may be moved and trees set elsewhere. In 
planting permanent groves to endure for generations, we prefer to set them 
from 40x40 to 50x50 feet. 

Care of Trees Upon Jtrrival. — Upon arrival of shipment of trees, bundles 
should be opened, a trench dug in a shady place, and roots and half the tops of 
trees laid therein at a slope, covering them with damp earth and lightly watering. 
Trees may be kept in good condition several months in this way. At no time 
must roots be allowed to dry out, although an excels of moisture is not 
necessary. If trees are frozen upon arrival, bury the bundle without opening 
in cool moist earth, or let them thaw slowly in a cool cellar. If trees have 
dried out in transit, open bundle and bury trees completely for several days and 
they will resume a natural condition. Roots should be covered or wrapped up 
in wet sacking, moss or other material when taken to field for planting. Many 
trees are lost and nurserymen consequently blamed on account of failure of the 
planter to take this precaution. 

We shipped one hundred large Pecan trees to the St. Louis Exposition, 
which arrived there frozen in a solid mass, but by gradually thawing them out, 
every tree recovered. 

How to Set Out Pecan Trees. — In setting out a Pecan tree, a hole 
24 inches in diameter and 30 inches deep is usually large enough although 
wider holes may be dug with advantage. When setting out the tree, fill in 
with top soil, or woods earth. Well-rotted manure or good commercial fertilizer 
may be put in outer sides of hole, an inch or two beyond lateral roots while 
hole is being filled, but so as not to come in direct contact with the roots. 
Work and firmly press the dirt among the roots, laying each root out in a natural 
position. No holes or cavities in the soil should be left and soil must be in 
close contact with all roots, especially the tap-root. The tree should be set at 
such a depth that after a copious watering and the permanent settlement of the 
earth, it will be the same depth or perhaps a little deeper than it stood in the 
nursery row. It is very important that no part of the crown or root be left 
exposed to the air. It is better to plant them an inch or two deeper than they 
stood in the nursery than to have the crown of root exposed. The roots of 
Pecan trees are of a reddish brown color, which color may usually be noticed 
for several inches above where first roots start. All that portion of tree 
showing any reddish brown tint should be under ground and never allowed to 

13 



become exposed. The land should be plowed deeply and harrowed either pre- 
vious to planting or soon afterwards. It is better to do this before planting, as 
trees may be disturbed by ploughing after planting. If tap-roots are incon- 
veniently long, say over 30 inches, they may be cut off by a sloping cut with a 
sharp knife. All broken roots should be cut off. The foolish theory about 
a Pecan tree not bearing if its tap-root has been cut has been so universally 
disproved by ourselves and others that it is not worth discussion. If the tap- 
root is cut when the tree is dug, as is often necessary, the cut quickly heals 




PECAN GROVE IN RYE, DEWITT, GA. CROPS OF ALL KINDS MAY BE RAISED AMONG TREES FOR 

MANY YEARS. 

over and a new tap-root is formed, if the trees needs it, which is not always 
the case. White ants (termites) occasionally attack the roots of newly set trees. 
Care should be taken to see that no pieces of wood or other debris upon which 
insects, their eggs or larvae might gain admittance to bottom of hole be con- 
tained in the soil in setting out trees. The dangers from insect attacks is so 
slight that it need not be seriously considered. 

Fertilizers. — Well-rotted barnyard manure contains practically all the 
plant-food needed by a young Pecan tree. As it is difficult to get this in very 
large quantities, as a substitute we advise the use of some well-balanced high- 
grade fruit tree fertilizer, such as "White's Nut and Peach Grower, No. 2." 
After a tree has bloomed the first time, highly ammoniated or nitrogenous 
fertilizers, such as stable manure, cottonseed-meal, fish, blood, tankage, etc., 
should not be solely used, but potash and phosphoric acid in any of their 



H 




THE STAMINATE (MALE) BLOOM OF THE PECAN. A BRANCH OF AN 18-MONTH-OLD GEORGIA 
GIANT BUD ON A 4-YEAB-SEEDLING AT DEWITT, GA. PHOTO. TAKEN APRIL, 1904. 
SEE FOLLOWING PICTURE SHOWING SAME BRANCH TAKEN IN SEPTEMBER, 1904. 




SAME BRANCH (SEPT. 1904) SHOWING 15 NUTS (WITHIN CIRCLES). 

15 



respective forms should be added to induce bearing, although many trees will 
bear, no matter what they are fed on. Nitrogenous fertilizers cause a rapid 
growth, and while the tree is young and small it is as well to encourage as 
much healthy growth as possible, so that when it gets to be about five years 
old it will have a large top. Fertilizers should be broadcast and well-worked 
into the soil around the tree, commencing at a radius of about the extremities 
of the branches after the first year. The application of fertilizers too near the 
tree causes a congestion of roots and is likely to injure them. 

Culture. — In Pecan groves, low-growing crops, such as peas, melons, can- 
taloupes, potatoes, peanuts, cotton, truck, etc., may profitably be planted. The 
land should be plowed and harrowed early in the spring and again in the fall. 
If sown in peas the hay cut from same more than pays all fertilizing and 
cultural expenses. Young trees should be kept free from grass and weeds, 
and occasional deep hoeings and thorough pulverization of the soil for several 
feet around the tree during the growing season are highly beneficial. Trees of 
all sizes, and especially newly-set ones, may be mulched with leaves, straw, dead 
weeds, etc.,' to great advantage, conserving soil moisture, reducing expense in 
hoeing and affording a slowly-decaying supply of natural plant-food. 

Varieties. — Most Pecan trees are bisexual, but in planting a Pecan grove 
it is not always advisable to have only one variety. Where two or three 
varieties are planted, it is considered better to alternate several rows of each. 
The staminate (male) bloom which furnishes the pollen is produced on the wood 
of the previous season's growth, also at the point from where the new growth 
starts, and the pistillate (female) bloom, from which the nut is formed, is pro- 
duced on the end of the new growth when it has grown from three to ten inches 
and over. It will occasionally happen that the male blooms (catkins) mature 
and release their pollen before the female bloom is sufficiently developed to be 
pollenated, or heavy rains will wash the pollen from the catkins at a time when 
pistillate bloom is in the right condition for pollenation. Without pollenation 
the female bloom withers and dies, or produces nuts without meat or only par- 
tially filled. Potent pollen is a sine qua non in a nut or fruit orchard. The pollen 
of Pecans is a yellow, fine, dustlike substance and is capable of being carried by 
air currents a great distance. Insects also are important factors in the pollena- 
tion of Pecan blooms. Potent pollen from one Pecan or allied species is fully 
as efficacious in fertilizing the female blooms of another tree of the same genus 
as it is its own, hence the frequent hybridization and cross-pollenation of one 



16 



species with another, with the resulting lack of certainty of a seedling tree repro- 
ducing identically the nut from which it is grown. The product may be better 
or inferior, for there is no telling what took place at the time of impregnation. 
Opinion upon the subject of the percentage of nuts coming true to seed is 
very variable, but in our long experience we do not know of a single instance. 




METHOD OF TOP GRAFTING LARGE TREES. 
(1) DORMANT SCIONS (FEBRUARY.) (2) GROWING SCIONS (MAY.) 

THE LOWER SEEDLING BRANCHES ARE CUT OFF AFTER GRAFTS ARE WELL UNITED. 

Results are the Same. — We have so many inquiries as to the difference 
between a budded and a grafted tree that to save correspondence will here say that, 
so far as results are concerned, there is no difference. A budded tree will bear 
as soon as a grafted tree, and vice versa. Grafting is done in the winter and 
spring months, by the cleft, whip and straddle methods, while scions are per- 
fectly dormant. Budding is done in the summer and fall by the annular, patch 
or veneer methods, when sap is flowing freely and bark will slip. The mechanical 
operations of grafting and budding are entirely different, but a budded tree is just 
as desirable as a grafted one. Neither the grafting nor budding seasons are re- 
spectively long enough for extensive propagators to get all their work done, hence 
some trees being budded and others grafted. We therefore reserve the right to 
ship either budded or grafted trees, according to our stock of each kind. 



17 



Budded and Grafted Trees Compared With Seedlings.— Grafted and 

budded trees have advantages over seedlings because ( I ) they usually begin to bear 
much earlier than seedlings; (2) they reproduce the variety from which buds 
and grafts were taken; (3) perpetuation of the early, heavy and annual bearing 
characteristics of the parent tree is obtained ; (4) the greater care and attention 
usually given them on account of their greater cost. 

Cost of Budded and Grafted Trees. — As a consequence of the variable 
success attending the propagation of Pecans by budding and grafting and the 
comparative slowness of the processes as compared with the simpler propagation 
of peaches, plums, oranges, apples, etc., the trees must necessarily sell at a price 
which allows a margin to cover (1) great losses, occasionally, in budding and 
grafting from unfavorable weather, such as prolonged droughts, or excessive 




A POOR STAND OF NURSERY GRAFTS 
(5 PER CENT.) 



A FAIR STAND OF NURSERY GRAFTS 
(60 PER CENT.) 



rains; (2) sacrifice of nuts from choice bearing trees by the cutting therefrom 
of scions or budding wood; (3) temporary disfigurement of seedling trees where 
grafts or buds fail to take; (4) the great care and attention necessary by the 
propagator the first season after the respective operations; (5) the fact that the 
stocks must be (with us) two years or more old; (6) that whole roots must be 
used.* 

Permanency.— In horticulture (for profit), as in all other business matters, 
the best generally proves to be the cheapest, especially where permanent results 
are desired. A Pecan tree lives to an indefinite age (300 to 700 years), and gen- 

*Many fruit trees can be produced by using short sections of the seedling root upon 
which to graft, as can the apple ; not so with the Pecan. 



eration after generation will enjoy the fruits of what we are now planting, there- 
fore plant the best you can get and leave a permanent monument of your good 
judgment. 

Good Stock, Why it Should be Planted. — This covers an important fea- 
ture of the Pecan industry. The following plan is advocated as being the most 
reasonable and rational where seedling groves are planted, whether the trees are 
intended to be subsequently budded or grafted or not. Only seedlings grown from 
choice nuts, the products of trees of vigorous growth and prolific annual bearers, 
should be planted, even if they cost a little more than the common seedling, for the 
following reasons : ( i ) A certain variable percentage of seedlings raised from 
selected nuts may reasonably be expected to produce better nuts than if raised 
from inferior ones ; (2) the next best thing to a genuine budded or grafted tree of a 
well-tested variety is a seedling from a good nut; (3) the influence (if any) of a 
seedling from a good nut on a bud or graft is likely to be more beneficial than 
prejudicial; (4) the nuts from good seedlings are usually profitable, whereas 
if very small Pecans, pig nuts, hickories or allied stocks of inferior varieties 
be used, and not subsequently budded or grafted with choice Pecans, the product 
of such seedling trees may be practically worthless. By far the greater number 
of our buds and grafts are put on Magnum Bonum, Egg Shell, Stevens, Bacon's 
Choice and No. 1 Commercial seedling stocks, all produced in our own groves of 
cultivated trees and we consider that we are doing our utmost to produce trees of 
the highest possible grade. 

Saving Expenses. — Where one can not afford to plant a grove entirely of 
budded and grafted trees, the better plan is to plant seedlings grown from choice 
nuts, at the same time to buy twenty per cent, of budded or grafted trees of the 
choicest varieties, from which subsequently to get scions and buds. Good bud- 
ding or grafting wood is difficult to obtain and is very expensive as with fine 
nuts at their present price the cutting of buds and scions means the sacrifice of 
many pounds of nuts selling at anywhere from 50c. to $3.00 per pound. Therefore, 
where seedlings are planted, it behooves everyone to forestall this difficulty by 
having their own budded or grafted trees of choice varieties and subsequently to 
convert all seedlings into specific varieties, which can be done any time after 
seedlings have become well established in their permanent place and have com- 
menced to grow vigorously. 



'9 




1. 

(1) CLEFT GRAFTS IN 5 YEAR 
SEEDLING STOCK. (ONE 
YEAR'S GROWTH.) 
FEBRUARY, 1904. 



THE SAME TREE 
MAY, 1904. 



The second or third year after 
transplantation would perhaps 
be the best time to bud or 
graft. Budding will be found 
generally more satisfactory 
than grafting; trees can be 
budded anywhere above the 
ground, either on the main 
trunk, or, if they have 
branched, each branch may be 
budded. 

Disappointment Inevita- 
ble. -There will be many dis- 
appointments in Pecans to 
those who have planted the 
"cheapest" trees they could 
b u y without investigating 
source or variety of trees or 
reliability of party selling 
them. As an instance, pig nut 
trees, represented as choice 



Pecan trees, have been sold. It will be heart-breaking to those who have planted 
such trees, relying upon them to support them in their old age, to find they have 
been swindled and all hope of rest and peace in their declining years vanished. 
Men will die and leave "Pecan" groves of this kind to their widows and children 
— with what result? 

"Live and IVin." — As compared to life insurance, as an investment, even- 
thing is in favor of a Pecan grove. After the investment is once made there 
are no premiums to be paid for you can rent out the land, or farm, or truck on 
it yourself, and you do not have to die to reap the benefits. The following from 
the Atlanta Semi-Weekly Journal, of August 24th, 1900, on this subject, is well 
worth reading : 

"The premium on a life insurance policy of $5,000 invested in a Pecan grove 
will soon earn annually an amount equal to the face of the policv and annual 
increase. Parents and guardians of children will find in this industry safety, 
surety of annual incomes throughout life, which can be reached by no other 
investments. In the Southern States aie thousands of acres, so-called "worn 
out," that will grow Pecans under cultivation, as the roots of these trees feed 



20 



upon soils not reached by other tree-roots and soon can be made to pav a 
handsome income where now such lands only grow taxes. Investigation will 
furnish proof of all we have said of the valuable industry, the value of which is 
beyond the figures we have yet stated in the public prints." 

Inferior Trees Expensive — In the 44th Annual Report of the Horticultu- 
ral Society of Missouri (1901), appears an article by Albert Brownwell, North- 
west Horticulturist, upon the subject of "cheap trees." It is replete with so much 
truth and common sense that it may be read with profit by all concerned. It reads 

"It costs more to produce a good article than a poor one, and in buying, 
the first question should be not how cheap but how good it is. Many people 
understand this well enough, and yet how few ever stop to apply the rule to 
nursery stock. In no other kind of purchase is the quality of the article of 
such vital importance as in nursery stock. The price of a tree is the smallest 
part of its cost by the time it has come into bearing. If a man buys cheap 
trees, to save a few cents on each, by the time the tree comes into bearing the 
expense of the land, labor, etc., has amounted to several times the cost of the 
tree; and consequently if his cheap stock turns out, as it uniformly does, to be 
of inferior and worthless varieties, then it is a serious loss to him and he has 
to begin all over again. Now, is it not plain to all that it is rank folly for 
anyone to risk this dead loss of trees, use of land for years, expense of culti- 
vating, etc., to save a few cents on the tree, when for a trifling increase in 
price he can get the very best warranted -stock? As a matter of insurance a 
man can not afford to buy anything but the best warranted stock. It is a 
general rule, which can be relied on, that "cheap" stock is worthless stock, and 
therefore dear at any price. If a man won't pay for good stock, and buys 
cheap stock in order to save money, he is very sure to lose all he puts into it. 
Most of the worthless stock is worked off by strange agents, who sell on their 
own account and are not authorized by any responsible firm to take orders for 
them. Such men buy up refuse stock from large nurseries for almost nothing 
and fill their orders with it, claiming it to be good. They also frequently war- 
rant the stock, but as they are unknown or irresponsible, their warranty is 
absolutely worthless. If people would buy only from agents who can show 




THE PARENT "ATLANTA" TREE, DE WITT, GA. 
PHOTO. TAKEN IN APRIL, 1904, BEFORE 
FOLIAGE FULLY DEVELOPED. 



a certificate author- 
izing them to rep- 
resent a responsi- 
b 1 e firm, there 
would be no danger 
of being cheated. 

WE CAN NOT GET 
SOMETHING FOR 
NOTHING. 

'"This is not a 
world where we 
can get something 
for nothing, and 
when an article is 
offered at an ex- 
traordinarily low 
price, there must 
be some good rea- 
son for it. The 
very simple reason 
is that as the arti- 
cle is of bad quality 
it can not be sold 
in competition with 
first-clase goods, 
and is therefore 
necessarily worked 
off on the public 
at a low rate to 
catch those people 
Such people never 



who will bite at anything cheap, without regard to quality 
get ah^ad because they waste their money on poor trash that gives them no 'value 
received' for their outlay." 

Japanese Walnuts. ■ — We are offering Japanese Walnut trees (Juglansi 
Sicboldiana) raised from nuts from our own trees. This nut while not as good 
as the English or Persian Walnut, is of commercial value. The tree is of 
rapid growth, begins to bear nuts, in clusters of from seven to fifteen, at three 
and four years from seed. The meat is sweet. The foliage is very handsome and 
the trees, being of relatively dwarf habits, may be planted 25x25 feet. 



LofC. 



Chestnuts— We have several bearing trees, and after some years of experi- 
mental work have evolved a chestnut of very large size and good quality, ripen- 
ing the last week in July. The nut has been submitted to many competent 
judges and is declared to be of great merit. We will propagate it by budding 
and grafting or sell scions and buds. Budded or grafted trees will not be ready 
for sale or distribution until fall of 1905, when prices will be furnished on appli- 
cation. 

Jts to Healers.— -Dealers purchasing from us sell on their own responsi- 
bility. We likewise disclaim any liability for results arising from defective 
planting, or at improper seasons, or from subsequent faulty fertilization and cul- 
tivation. 

Guarantee— -We guarantee all stock sent out to be well-rooted and properly 
packed. Our liability under all circumstances is limited in amount to the original 
price received. 

How to Send Money. Send money the most convenient way, but do 
not send currency in mail, unless registered. We prefer P. O. or express money 
orders, or New York Exchange. 

Time of Payments- -Unless by special agreement, all payments are posi- 
tively cash in advance. Mail orders for future delivery should be accompanied 
by one-fourth cash as a guarantee of good faith. 

How to Write Orders.— Always use our regular order blanks for making 
up orders, both for your convenience and ours. If for any reason you have no 
blanks, write the order on separate sheet of paper. Be sure your name and P. O. 
address i.s plainly written and shipping directions plainly given. 
Responsibility in Transportation.-™™ we take clean receipt from rail- 
way or express companies, our responsibility is at an end. We are not respon- 
sible for any claims that may arise from then on. We make no charges for 
packing, package or cartage. All prices are F. O. B., unless by special agreement. 
Payments.— Make all paper payable to The G. M. Bacon Pecan Co. Inc. 

MO SAN JOSE SCALE. 

Our nurseries are annually inspected by the Georgia State Entomologist, 
copy of whose certificate accompanies every shipment of trees. The fumigation 
of all nursery stock with hydrocyanic acid gas is carried out in a scientific manner 
under our personal supervision. 



23 




FOUR-YEAR-OLD "GEORGIA GIANT" BUDDED TREE. TREE IN BEARING. 
13 NUTS VISIBLE (WITHIN CIRCLES ) . 11 OTHERS OBSCURED 
BY FOLIAGE. DEWITT, GA. 



VARIETIES. 

As selected nuts of the best varieties of Pecans command a ready sale at from 
$1.00 to $3.00 per pound, parties writing for specimens are requested to enclose 
five cents for each nut desired. 



Georgia Giant. 



Centennial. 




The nut is large, ovate-oblong in 
shape, thin shell, full-meated and of 
superior flavor. At five years of age 
the parent tree bore thirty-two nuts, 
weighing one pound. It was set out 
(a one-year seedling) in 1886, and 
commenced bearing in 1891 and has 
borne heavy and increasing crops 
every year. The tree stands on a 
hard red clay slope, surrounded b\ 
other Pecan trees at a distance of 
only thirty feet. On account of its 
early, annual and heavy-bearing char- 
acteristics and the large size of its 
nut, it is regarded as probably the 
best of all the largre standard varieties. 




One of the oldest improved varie- 
ties. Nut large, pointed at both ends ; 
shell thin ; kernel plump. The parent 
tree is believed to have been grafted 
fifty years ago. 

Stuart. 




One of the oldest and best tested 
named varieties. Ovoid in shape; 
shell thin ; kernel plump. A popular 
variety of demonstrated value and ex- 
cellence. An early and heavy bearer. 
Rapid grower. 



25 



Van Demam. 



Mammoth. {Renamed "Monarch") 




Large nut, oblong in shape, pointed 
at apex ; shell thin. A popular variety. 

JHlanta. 




Medium size, oblong, pointed, shell 
thin. Parent tree is growing in Ber- 
muda pasture ; soil very poor and 
sandy. 

Jtlley. 




A medium to large nut, oblong-ovoid 
in shape ; very thin shell ; full-meated, 
some of which should be in every 
grove. 




This nut frequently grows to 2^ 
inches in length and i inch in diam- 
eter. The parent tree stands on a 
poor sand ridge sodded in Bermuda 
grass. This variety is a good bearer 
and of a remarkably rapid and vigor- 
ous growth, making it especially de- 
sirable for quickest possible shade, 
combined with larsre nuts. 




Above medium size ; ovate in shape ; 
shell thin ; kernel full and plump. 
This variety is richer in oil than any 
other variety tested. The parent tree 
has outgrown all other trees in a 15- 
acre grove and at 17 years old had a 
spread of 45 feet and height of 65 
feet. 



26 



Bolton. 



Majestic. 





A medium-sized nut of excellent 
flavor and quality. A popular Florida 
variety. 



Magnum Bonum. 



The same as Frotscher Egg Shell. 
A large, thin-shelled nut of good 
quality. 

Rome. 





Large nut, oblong-ovate in shape, 
thin shell and fine flavor. 

Erotscher Egg Shell. 



This variety is believed to be iden- 
tical with the "Columbian" and 
"Pride of the Coast." It is one of the 
largest Pecans known. Shape, round 
at one end, pointed at the other. 

Pride of the Coast. 




This is a very popular and well- 
tested variety. Nut large, oblong- 
ovoid in shape, thin shell. 




Description same as "Rome. 



27 



Bacon's Choice, 



Robson 





Medium size, slightly ovate, flat- 
tened toward the apex. Shell thin, 
partitions thin, kernel plump, meat of 
delicious flavor. A very vigorous 
grower. 

James Paper Shell. 




A medium size, very thin-shelled 
nut of fine flavor. 



A medium-sized, very thin-shelled 
nut, oblong-ovoid in shape. A com- 
paratively new variety, but of con- 
siderable merit. 

Delmas. 




A large nut, pointed at both ends ; 
of excellent quality and vigorous 
growth. 



Stevens. 



Capital. 




Named for Hon. O. B. Stevens, 
Commissioner of Agriculture, State of 
Georgia. Medium size, elliptical in 
shape. Thin shell and full of rich 
meat. 




A large, handsome nut, oblong- 
ovoid in shape, bearing much resem- 
blance to the "Columbian," "Rome," 
and "Pride of the Coast." 



28 



Russell. 



Bartow. 




A well-known variety of good qual- 
ity and very thin shell. 

Money Maker. 




A large nut of good quality and 
good flavor. 

Brackett. 





Medium size. Thin shell and fine 
flavor. 

Pabst. 




A large nut, oblong-ovate in shape ; 
very closely resembling the "Magnum 
Bonum." 

Egg Shell. 




Medium size, thin shell. Fine flavor 
Ovate in shape, thin shell. Trees ^ & good bearer> 

are fine growers and heavy bearers. 



29 



Admiral Schley. 



Columbian. 





A very thin-shelled variety and de- 
servedly becoming very popular. 

Japan Walnut (Sieboldiana). 



Description same as "Rome." 
Mew Chestnut. 





A hardy tree of magnificent foliage, 
handsome form and early-bearing; 
comes true to seed. 



A new chestnut originating at De 
Witt, Ga. Heavy bearer; foliage 
bright and free from rust. Ripens in 
latter part of July. Vigorous growers. 



Note,. — In conformance with the rules of the American Pomological Society and the National 
Nut Growers' Association, which rules are designed to simplify the nomenclature of fruits 
and nuts by eliminating double as well as hyphenated names, it is our intention to change 
the name of the "Georgia Giant" to "Georgia" (Synonym Georgia Giant,) the "Mangum 
Bonum" to "Mangum" (Synonym Mangum Bonum, ) the "Bacon's Choice' - * to "Bacon" 
(Synonym Bacon's Choice) and the "Mammoth" to "Monarch" (Synonym DeWitt Mam- 
moth,) the names of our other varieties remaining unchanged. We have not changed the 
names in this catalogue as our numerous customers are used to and familiar with the old 
names and misunderstanding or confusion might result. 



30 



PRICE LIST. 

Budded and Grafted Pecan Trees. 

Georgia Giant, Admiral Schley, Frotscher Egg Shell, Mammoth, Van Deman, 
Centennial, Stuart, Egg Shell, Capital, Atlanta, Stevens, Robson, Rome, Senator, 
Pabst, Russell, James Paper Shell, Money Maker, Pride of the Coast, Bolton, 
Bartow, Bacon's Choice, Majestic, Magnum Bonum, Alley, Delmas, Columbian. 

Inches. Each. Per Doz. Per ioo. 

6-10 $i .00 $12.00 $ 80.00 

10-20 1.50 1500 100.00 

20-30 1.75 18.00 125.00 

30-40 2.00 21.00 150.00 

40-60 2.50 24.00 i75-oo 

60 and over 

The above varieties are grafted and budded upon exceptionally good seed- 
ling Pecan stocks, and no pig nuts, hickories, or other inferior allied stocks 
are used by us. The nuts from which our stocks are grown are for the most 
part raised from Magnum Bonum, Egg Shell, Bacon's Choice, Stevens, and 
No. 1 Commercial seedlings, all raised in our own groves. 

Choice Seedling Trees From Nuts of Specific Variety. 

(Raised from nuts from large, healthy, early-bearing, vigorous trees, and espe- 
cially recommended as being next in value to budded and grafted trees). 
Mammoth, Atlanta, Stevens, Senator, Bacon's Choice, Brackett, Magnum 

Bonum, Egg Shell, and Georgia Giant. 

Sizes, 

6 inches to 1 foot, 1 year 

1 foot to 2 feet, 1 year 

2 feet to 3 feet, 2 years 

3 feet to 4 feet, 3 years 

4 feet and over, 3 years 1. 

Note— We always carry extra large trees running from 6 to 10 feet in height for spe- 
cial purposes or where parties want extra large trees for yard or lot planting. We carry 
them in budded, grafted and seedling trees. 

31 



ch. 


Per 10. 


Per 100. 


Per 1000. 


.20 


$1.90 


$18.00 


$160.00 


•25 


2-35 


22.50 


200.00 


•50 


475 


45.00 


400.00 


•75 


7.10 


67.50 


600.00 


.00 


9-5o 


90.00 


800.00 



OCT 14 1904 

Separate and distinct from our seedling trees of specific varieties (above 
named), and to fill the demands of the trade and large growers, we plant each 
year many thousands of pounds of nuts, produced in our own cultivated orchards, 
and keep a large stock of trees always on hand to supply nurserymen, and others. 
We offer well-grown, thrifty Pecan seedlings one, two, three and four years old 
at the following prices : 

Sizes. . Per ioo. Per 1,000. 
6 in. to I foot, I year $ 8.oo $ 75.00 

1 to 2 feet, 1 year 10.00 90.00 

2 to 3 feet, 2 years 25.00 225.00 

3 to 4 feet, 2 years 45-00 360.00 

4 to 6 feet, 3 years 50.00 450.00 

6 to 8 feet and over, 4 years 55-°° 475-°° 

The large size trees are very desirable for getting a grove started quickly. 
All these seedlings make most excellent stocks upon which to bud and graft. 
Special prices on large orders quoted upon application. 

Japan Walnuts. 

(Jnglans Sieboldiana.) 

Sizes. Each. Per 10. Per 100. 

6 inches to 2 feet, 1 year $ .25 $2.40 $22.50 

2 feet to 3 feet, 2 years 30 2.85 27.00 

3 feet to 4 feet, 3 years 50 4.75 45-00 

4 feet to 5 feet, 3 years 75 7.10 . 67.50 

Number of Trees to the Jicre. 

Distance Apart — feet. No. of Trees. 

20x20 108 

25x25 69 

3 ox 3o 48 

35x35 35 

40x40 27 

45 x 45 21 

50x50 17 

60x60 12 

Rule for Ascertaining the Number of Trees Required for One Acre of Land. 
Multiply the distance in feet between the rows by the distance the trees are 
to be apart in the row, and the product will be the number of square feet for 
each tree, which divided into 43,560 (the number of feet in an acre), will show 
how many trees the acre will contain. 

32 



FOOTE * DAVIE8 CO., PRINTER8 AND 8INDERS, ATLANTA QAt 




How to Grow It 
How to Buy It 



&he G. M. BACON PECAN CO., Inc. 
DeWitt, Mitchell County,— Georgia 




\ 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



DOQCHiaabHE 



